Review Article

Single molecule microscopy methods for the study of DNA origami structures

  1. Victoria Birkedal1,*,
  2. Mingdong Dong1,2,
  3. Monika M. Golas3,4,
  4. Bjoern Sander4,5,
  5. Ebbe Sloth Andersen1,2,6,
  6. Kurt Vesterager Gothelf1,2,7,
  7. Flemming Besenbacher1,2,8,
  8. Jørgen Kjems1,2,6,*

Article first published online: 3 DEC 2010

DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20962

Issue

Microscopy Research and Technique

Microscopy Research and Technique

Special Issue: Nano-Bio-Imaging and Analysis

Volume 74, Issue 7, pages 688–698, July 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Birkedal, V., Dong, M., Golas, M. M., Sander, B., Andersen, E. S., Gothelf, K. V., Besenbacher, F. and Kjems, J. (2011), Single molecule microscopy methods for the study of DNA origami structures. Microsc. Res. Tech., 74: 688–698. doi: 10.1002/jemt.20962

Author Information

  1. 1

    iNANO Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

  2. 2

    Centre for DNA Nanotechnology (CDNA), Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

  3. 3

    The Water and Salt Research Centre, Institute of Anatomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

  4. 4

    Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

  5. 5

    Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

  6. 6

    Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

  7. 7

    Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

  8. 8

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

*iNANO Center, Ny Munkegade, Building 1521, Aarhus University, 8000 Århus C, Denmark

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 JUN 2011
  2. Article first published online: 3 DEC 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 1 OCT 2010
  4. Manuscript Received: 8 JUN 2010

Funded by

  • Danish National Research Foundation to the Centre for DNA Nanotechnology
  • Danish Research Agency through support to the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)
  • Danish National Research Foundation to the Water and Salt Research Centre
  • Danish Council for Independent Research
  • Villum Foundation to the Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging
  • Agnes and Poul Friis' Foundation
  • Novo Nordisk Foundation
  • A.P. Møller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Sciences
  • Fru Astrid Thaysens Foundation
  • Lundbeck Foundation
  • Carlsberg Foundation

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (796K)

Keywords:

  • DNA nanostructures;
  • atomic force microscopy;
  • cryogenic transmission electron microscopy;
  • fluorescence microscopy;
  • spectroscopy

Abstract

Single molecule microscopy techniques play an important role in the investigation of advanced DNA structures such as those created by the DNA origami method. Three single molecule microscopy techniques are particularly interesting for the investigation of complex self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures, namely single molecule fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Here we discuss the strengths of these three techniques and demonstrate how their interplay can yield very important and unique new insights into the structure and conformation of advanced biological nanostructures. The applications of the three single molecule microscopy techniques are illustrated by focusing on a self-assembled DNA origami 3D box nanostructure. Its size and structure were studied by AFM and cryo-EM, while the lid opening, which can be controlled by the addition of oligonucleotide keys, was recorded by Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (796K)